Take Along on a Breeding Bird Survey

Every year, thousands of dedicated volunteers participate in the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Initiated in 1965, this long-term data collection effort has contributed significantly to our knowledge about the status and trends of more than 400 bird species in North America, and has led to strategic bird conservation. Volunteers follow a specific protocol, recording every bird seen and heard during 50 3-minute stops along an established roadside route. If this sounds intriguing, see if you can track down someone in your area who has a route and ask to tag along. You might just catch the BBS bug, and maybe even take on your own route next year! For more information, go to https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs, where the data is available for use by managers, scientists, and the public.